Patti Page’s take on “Route 66”

Here's a version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" you probably haven't heard -- by the recently departed Patti Page. https://youtu.be/WDEjLhDbchI The YouTube account, maynardcat, apparently is a vinyl record aficionado. He /she said about Page's recording: Route 66 by Patti Page from the 1955 Mercury Lp for radio broadcast only titled Blue Dream Street. This … Continue reading Patti Page’s take on “Route 66”

“Raze the Roof” event at Boots Motel canceled due to weather

The "Raze the Roof" volunteer event scheduled for this weekend at the historic Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., has been canceled because of grim weather forecasts. Here's the email sent Thursday from the Boots:  The owners of the historic Boots Motel, Debye Harvey and Priscilla Bledsaw, regret to announce that the "Raze-the-Roof" project is cancelled … Continue reading “Raze the Roof” event at Boots Motel canceled due to weather

Key figure in Our Lady of the Highways Shrine dies

Loretta (Marten) Ludek, 74, who was instrumental in founding the Our Lady of the Highways Shrine along old Route 66 near Raymond, Ill., died Tuesday at her home in Anderson, Ind., according to an obituary by Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Home. The Our Lady site explains Loretta's role in getting the statue there: In June of 1958, … Continue reading Key figure in Our Lady of the Highways Shrine dies

Asleep At the Wheel and the Texas Playboys

This is quite a treat. Someone has posted the entire "Austin City Limits" show from 1992 that featured Asleep At the Wheel and four members of  the Texas Playboys. It's western-swing heaven. https://youtu.be/hgOM7kJT9SY If you want to hear "Route 66," you can skip ahead to the 39-minute mark. And check out the Route 66 shield … Continue reading Asleep At the Wheel and the Texas Playboys

Effort officially begins to restore Rancho Cucamonga station

Work to restore the historic Cucamonga Service Station on Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., officially started with a ceremony Wednesday, reported the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. A sign company deeded the property to the Route 66 Inland Empire California nonprofit group a few months ago. The nonprofit was formed to save the structure and … Continue reading Effort officially begins to restore Rancho Cucamonga station

Route 66 Rendezvous may relocate to Beaumont and be renamed

Organizers of the Route 66 Rendezvous may relocate the classic-car event to Beaumont, Calif., after it was canceled because of severe financial problems by its longtime host city, San Bernardino. According to a short breaking-news article Wednesday afternoon by the Beaumont Record Gazette: Community Services Director Bob Sherwood said that the event organizers spoke at … Continue reading Route 66 Rendezvous may relocate to Beaumont and be renamed

Mural painted on wall at Route 66 Motel in Barstow

The historic Route 66 Motel in Barstow, Calif., took a wall that was a troublesome graffiti magnet and had it repainted into a Route 66-themed mural, reported the Desert Dispatch newspaper. Owner Ved Shandil enlisted local artist Kim Capp to repaint the wall in the past month. The newspaper said: He said a small black … Continue reading Mural painted on wall at Route 66 Motel in Barstow

4 Women on the Route undergoing significant changes

The 4 Women on the Route restaurant and souvenir shop on old Route 66 in Galena, Kan., has undergone significant changes in recent weeks -- including a name change. The former Kan-O-Tex gas station at the corner of Front and Main streets has seen renovations to its exterior -- including adding a restroom -- and … Continue reading 4 Women on the Route undergoing significant changes

Former Albuquerque motel officially reopens as apartments

The Luna Lodge along Route 66 in Albuquerque, which dates to 1949, officially reopened today as housing for low-income residents after a $3 million renovation that kept its historic aspects. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque filed this good report about the motel's rebirth: Historic Rte. 66 lodge gets new lease on life The next project for NewLife … Continue reading Former Albuquerque motel officially reopens as apartments

How Route 66 still kicks

Enjoy this two-part interview with Rick Antonson and Peter Armstrong, who on Fanny Kiefer's "Studio 4" talk show in Vancouver, Canada, tell of their adventures on Route 66 several years ago. That journey spawned an acclaimed book by Antonson, "Route 66 Still Kicks." https://youtu.be/2EalAGCy3Uw https://youtu.be/Zc9FrUE-x3o On a related note, Antonson a few days ago sent … Continue reading How Route 66 still kicks